Lifestyle

The Three Keys to a Great Password

A great password is often the only thing standing between you and identity theft. But what makes a password really secure? Turns out, there are some important guidelines to follow to keep information safe. Read on for three smart tips.

1. Know the latest security standards.The National Institute of Standards and Technology has established some new rules for setting more-secure passwords.MAKE YOUR PASSWORDS LONGER.Longer passwords are harder to decipher. Try using short phrases instead of just one word.AVOID PASSWORDS HINTS OR RESET QUESTIONS. Password hints aren’t all that effective and can actually make it easier to hack into your accounts.DON’T REPEAT THE SAME NUMBER OR LETTER.Something like “yessssss999” is much too easy for identity thieves to crack.DON’T USE COMMON IDENTIFIERS AS A PASSWORD.For example, if your name is Jane Smith and you’re setting up a Netflix account, don’t use “janesmith” or “Netflix” as your password.

2.Don't use the same password more than once. By using the same password on multiple services, you are potentially giving hackers access to every service where you're using that password. This is like having a single key that opens your house, your, car, and your bank's safety deposit box. If someone steals that key, they can access everything you own. Always create different keys, or passwords, for separate accounts.

3. Make use of a password manager. A password management tool is your greatest ally. These are programs or apps that will create unique passwords on each of your accounts and store them all for you in a single, secure location, so you'll never lose them again. They can also sync with multiple devices and auto-populate passwords whenever you need them, saving you a ton of time and trouble.

The World Wide Web can be complicated, but setting secure passwords doesn't have to be. With a bit of effort, you can use smart practices to help keep all your accounts safe and secure. SOURCE: The National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2019

Related Content

The Real Cost of a Vacation Home

What if instead of buying that vacation home, you invested the money?

Changing Unhealthy Behaviors

Five phases to changing unhealthy behaviors.

Social Media: #NewestBusinessLiabilityRisk

Social media may be a modern imperative for businesses looking to grow and build their brand, but it also introduces risk.

Latest Blog Post

What Should You Do About Inflation and Stock Market Volatility?

January 27, 2022

Don’t let short-term market fluctuations derail your portfolio. Protect your wealth with these six steps.

Your 2022 Social Security Guide

January 12, 2022

Retiring in 2022? Make sure you are prepared with this Social Security guide.

5 Common Regrets of Business Owners in Retirement

December 23, 2021

Retirement is one of life’s greatest milestones. But what happens if your retirement is not all it’s cracked up to be? Here are 5 common retirement regrets business owners face to keep in mind as you prepare for your golden years.

Office:	559-440-6999
Fax:	559-320-0286